Made it! Started driving from Idaho Springs around 4am, hit the standard trail to La Plata Peak around 6am, followed the approach trail under overcast skies for the first 2 1/2 hours until we hit treeline at 12,000 ft. Navigated a steep gully and followed a well defined trail to the ridge near 12,500 ft. Weather obscured the summit but we pushed onward into the clouds. Around 13,000 ft. we were hit by sleet and soon after snow, with significant wind. We made a decision to keep going, and it was the right one. We made the summit at noon, snapped a few photos and got back down to the relative safety of the ridge. Backtracked down the trail and on our way down the skies opened up. The hike back out was beautiful. Made it to the car a little past 4pm. A long, wet and windy day, but the views of what we accomplished on our hike out were phenomenal! Round trip a little less than 10 miles, and 4,500 ft. of elevation gain to the summit from the trailhead.

Missed the roadside trailhead and hiked 4 miles beyond to Sawyers gulch, uhgg! La Plata trail was nice and straightforward once on it (-8 miles of warmup exercise), includes trail steps and thoughtful switchbacks that compensate for the rocky talus above 13,000'. Quick timing FYI: 4hrs UP. No weather and half moon for descent.

First time I never saw anyone else on my 14er trail, but did share summit with someone who went up/down a different route. Neither of us encounted anyone else. Quiet day, was very nice. Getting very cold already!